Human Traces has begun its second block of principal photography this week on the wild and remote Catlins coast on the southeastern South Island.
A psychological thriller told from three perspectives, Human Traces is the debut feature from writer/director Nic Gorman and producer Nadia Maxwell. The film stars an all-star local cast including Sophie Henderson (Fantail, Outrageous Fortune), Mark Mitchinson, (800 Words, Bloodlines, The Hobbit), Vinnie Bennett (Fantail, Shanara) and Sara Wiseman (A Place to Call Home, The Almighty Johnsons).
Mimicking the harsh and desolate wilderness of the Subantarctic, the wild and rugged Catlins coast provide the perfect backdrop to shoot this feature.
“The Catlins coast beautifully demonstrates the barren isolation that our characters inhabit.” says director Nic Gorman. “With the location such a strong character in the film the Catlins is the perfect fit.”
Producer Nadia Maxwell praises the local support the film has received so far.
“The Catlins locals have welcomed us with open arms”, says Maxwell. “This is a South Island driven project with a predominantly Southern crew so the support shown by the locals really means a lot.”
Human Traces is the debut feature film for Gorman and Maxwell who first joined forces on the NZFC funded Fresh Short Here Be Monsters (Winner, Best Short Film, 2013 New Zealand Film Awards, In competition Best International Short, Fantasia Film Festival 2014 and Winner Best Screenplay/Best Cinematography Show Me Shorts 2013). Tom Hern and James Napier Robertson (The Dark Horse) are the film’s executive producers.
Human Traces was made with investment from the New Zealand Film Commission and Random Films.
Photo Credit: Dean MacKenzie. DOP John Chrisstoffels frames up on actors Sophie Henderson and Sara Wiseman at Purakaunui Bay on the Catlins Coast.